Our NFL division previews conclude today as we take a look at the final division in the league, the NFC North! It’s been a long ride as we’ve provided previews for every division and team in the league, but we are excited to bring you our picks for the NFC North today!
Remember, you can check out our other NFL season previews by clicking any of the links below.
– NFL Outright Betting Picks
– AFC East Preview
– AFC North Preview
– AFC West Preview
– AFC South Preview
– NFC East Preview
– NFC South Preview
– NFC West Preview
2020 NFC North Division Preview
The NFC North is shaping up to be an interesting division this season, with the Vikings and Packers set to be the main contenders once again. it was the Packers who took the division comfortably last season with a 13-3 record, but the race for the NFC North was much closer throughout the season.
The Vikings will enter the new year as favourites for the NFC North but there is plenty of value if you’re hunting a division winner.
Chicago Bears
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 7.5 (-115)
Under 7 .5 (-106)
The Bears won eight games last season but look to be on the decline after a pretty slow off-season. They were challenging for the division a few years ago, however, they will go into the 2020 season as a +425 underdog to win the NFC North.
Mitch Trubisky will start as quarterback this season but will no doubt have some competition as Nick Foles makes the transition across from Jacksonville. There are a lot of question marks heading into this year for the Bears, which is a worrying sign.
Notable Arrivals: OLB Robert Quinn, TE Jimmy Graham, QB Nick Foles
Notable Departures: OLB Leonard Floyd, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Paying 33-year-old Jimmy Graham $8 million this year was an interesting move and one that we just can’t see paying dividends, however, the pickup of Robert Quinn was certainly a good one and should improve an already strong defense.
2020 Chicago Bears Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Sunday Sep. 13 |  | at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 |  | New York GiantsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 |  | at Atlanta FalconsMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 |  | Indianapolis ColtsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Thursday Oct. 8 |  | Tampa Bay BuccaneersSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:20pm ETFOX/NFLN/Amazon | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 |  | at Carolina PanthersBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Monday Oct. 26 |  | at Los Angeles RamsSoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 8:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday Nov. 1 |  | New Orleans SaintsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 |  | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Monday Nov. 16 |  | Minnesota VikingsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 29 |  | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 | | Detroit LionsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 |  | Houston TexansSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 |  | at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | Green Bay PackersSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
The Bears have a brutal schedule. Obviously they’ll have to face off against the Packers and Vikings four times this season, as well as NFC matchups against the Saints, Buccaneers and Falcons. They also face off against the AFC South, which should be much improved this season.
Prediction
Record: 4-12
We find it hard to believe that the Bears win line sits all the way up at 7.5 this season. We think they will have to have an absolutely transcendent season on the defensive end to come anywhere close to that. While their hopes certainly rely on their defense, we think that the schedule is just too tough and they don’t have an offense capable of keeping them in enough games.
The under here is one of the easier picks for the 2020 season in our opinion.
Detroit Lions
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 6.5 (-130)
Under 6 .5 (+107)
The Lions finished at the bottom of the NFC North last season but will look to bounce back this year as they enter their 12th season with quarterback Matt Stafford at the helm.
They were competitive last season before a back injury ended the year for Stafford, and will look to recapture some of that form in 2020. Some key additions through the draft should give them a boost.
Notable Arrivals: LB Jamie Collins, CB Desmond Trufant, DT Danny Shelton
Notable Departures: LB Devon Kennard, CB Darius Slay, G Graham Glasgow, DT A’Shawn Robinson
The defense gets a little worse after trading away Darius Slay and losing Damon Harrison to retirement. However, additions in Jamie Collins and Desmons Trufant should suffice as cover.
2020 Detroit Lions Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Sunday Sep. 13 |  | Chicago BearsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 |  | at Arizona CardinalsState Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 | | New Orleans SaintsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | | at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | | at Atlanta FalconsMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | | Indianapolis ColtsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 15 |  | Washington RedskinsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | | at Carolina PanthersBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Thursday Nov. 26 | | Houston TexansFord Field, Detroit, MI | 12:30pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 | | at Chicago BearsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 | | Green Bay PackersFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 19 | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 | | Tampa Bay BuccaneersFord Field, Detroit, MI | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 26 | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | Minnesota VikingsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
Going to be a tough start for the Lions, who have just two of their first six games at home, however, the schedule gets a little easier after that with games against the Redskins, Panthers and Bears all in the back half of the season. Overall it’s a pretty tough schedule though.
Prediction
Record: 6-9
Barring any more injuries to Stafford, the Lions should be better this season than their 3-12-1 record last year, however, we don’t expect them to challenge for the division with tough schedule and a defense that should allow too many points. Back them to jump off the bottom of the division table but go just under their 6.5 win total.
Green Bay Packers
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 8.5 (-137)
Under 8 .5 (+113)
The Packers fell just one game short of a Super Bowl after an impressive 13-3 regular season last year and somehow their total win line has dropped all the way to 8.5 for the 2020 season at DraftKings. Aaron Rodgers will be back and will have a chip on his shoulder after the Packers selected QB Jordan Love with their first round pick in the 2020 draft.
While they might not finish with a 13-3 record again, we think any team with Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback deserves a little more respect, and we envision a pretty competitive season within the NFC North for the Pack again this year.
Notable Arrivals: LB Christian Kirksey, RT Rick Wagner, WR Devin Funchess
Notable Departures: RT Bryan Bulaga, LB Kyler Fackrell, LB Blake Martinez
It wasn’t an extremely active off-season for the Packers, however, the addition of Funchess will give Rodgers another weapon in the passing game, something he has been desperate for over the last few seasons.
2020 Green Bay Packers Schedule |
|||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Sunday Sep. 13 | |
at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | |
Detroit LionsLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 | |
at New Orleans SaintsMercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Monday Oct. 5 | |
Atlanta FalconsLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | |
at Tampa Bay BuccaneersRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | |
at Houston TexansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | |
Minnesota VikingsLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Thursday Nov. 5 |  |
at San Francisco 49ersLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 8:20pm ETFOX/NFLN/Amazon | ||
| Sunday Nov. 15 | |
Jacksonville JaguarsLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | |
at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 29 | |
Chicago BearsLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 |  |
Philadelphia EaglesLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 4:25pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 | |
at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | |
Carolina PanthersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 19 | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 | |
Tennessee TitansLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | |
at Chicago BearsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
Games at Minnesota and New Orleans in the first three weeks are a tough start to the year, if they can win one of them it should set them up for another strong regular season. They get a massive respite in the back half of the season with games against the Jags, Colts, Bears, Eagles, Lions, Panthers and the Bears again in the last eight weeks. Could easily go 7-1 in the run home.
Prediction
Record: 10-6
Hard to see the Packers going under 8.5 wins this season barring an injury to Aaron Rodgers, especially with that easy run home. They could conceivably be 4-4 or even 3-5 at the half-way point of the season and still easily cover their win line. Should finish with 9 or 10 wins this year and cover comfortably.
Minnesota Vikings
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 8.5 (-150)
Under 8 .5 (+123)
The final team in the division is the Minnesota Vikings, who were looking like taking the division title last season before losses in three of their last five games squandered their chances. They’ll start the season as the favourites in the division but will be up against it after an off-season where they lost a lot more than they gained.
The Vikings have had one of the strongest defences in the league for the last few seasons but they’ll likely need to lean more on their offense and dynamic running game to remain a top flight team after losing the bulk of their starting secondary in the off-season.
Notable Arrivals: DT Michael Pierce
Notable Departures: CB Xavier Rhodes, CB Trae Waynes, DE Everson Griffin, DT, Linval Joseph, WR Stefon Diggs
Their secondary lost their three best cornerbacks in Rhodes, Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. their defensive line also took a hit with the losses of Griffin and Joseph.
2020 Minnesota Vikings Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Friday Aug. 14 | | Houston Texans (Preseason)U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 8:00pm ETLocal/NFLN | ||
| Friday Aug. 21 |  | at Cincinnati Bengals (Preseason)Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 7:00pm ETLocal/NFLN | ||
| Sunday Aug. 30 |  | at Cleveland Browns (Preseason)FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH | 4:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Thursday Sep. 3 |  | Seattle Seahawks (Preseason)U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 8:00pm ETLocal/NFLN | ||
| Sunday Sep. 13 | | Green Bay PackersU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | | at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 | | Tennessee TitansU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 | | at Houston TexansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 | | at Seattle SeahawksCenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | | Atlanta FalconsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | Detroit LionsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Monday Nov. 16 | | at Chicago BearsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 |  | Dallas CowboysU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 29 | | Carolina PanthersU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 | | Jacksonville JaguarsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 | | at Tampa Bay BuccaneersRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | Chicago BearsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Friday Dec. 25 | | at New Orleans SaintsMercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA | 4:30pm ETFOX/NFLN/Amazon | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
The Vikings have a much tougher schedule than some of their divisional counterparts, with conference matchups against the Seahawks, Falcons, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Saints. While they will no doubt win some of those games, there are fewer guaranteed wins on their schedule than that of the Packers.
Prediction
Record: 9-7
We have the Vikings as a slight over this season, by the barest of margins. We think they should decline in the defense but should get a little more dynamic on offense with some natural progression of star running back Dalvin Cook. Can see the Vikings finishing the year with 9 or 10 wins and competing with the Packers until the final game of the year. Stay away from the 9.0 line. Bet the over on the 8.5 if you can find it.
NFC North Division Winner
Love the value of the Packers to win the division this season. At best they should be even odds with the Vikings, but getting a hefty +170 is great value. As long as Aaron Roders avoids injury, the Packers will at least be in contention for the division in the last few weeks of the regular season, and their schedule is much easier than that of the Vikings.
